Integration and Welcome-ability Indexes: Measures of Community Capacity to Integrate Immigrants Zenaida Ravanera, Victoria Esses, Fernando Rajulton Western University London, Ontario N6A 5C2 Canada PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY 2013 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Ottawa, November 15-16 Paper first presented in the 27 th International Population Conference, International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, Busan, Korea, August 26-31, 2013 1
Outline Definition and Theoretical Framework for Analysis of Integration Welcome-Ability Index: An Illustration Using Community- Level Data Integration Index: An Illustration Using Individual-Level Data 1. Framework of Analysis 2. Data & Methods 3. Results Concluding Remarks: Toward Multi- Level Analysis of Integration 2
Integration Multi-level Concept Multi-Dimensional Concept Integration defined Integration Social Cohesion Welcome-ability Economic Social Political Immigrant integration: a process through which newcomers become capable of participating in the economic, social and civic/political life of the receiving country Joppke and Seidle (2012: 9). 3
Theoretical Macro-Micro Framework of Analysis of Immigrant Integration A. Macro/Community Conditions/ Characteristics 1 B. Macro/Community Outcomes Welcome-ability 3 4 2 C. Micro/Immigrant Conditions/ Characteristics D. Micro/Immigrant Outcomes Integration 4
Framework for Analysis at the Macro-level A Political Social Economic 6. Fostering Social Capital * 1. Employment Opportunities* B 9. Political Participation Opportunities 7. Social Engagement Opportunities 8. Positive Attitudes toward Immigrants, Cultural Diversity, and the Presence of Newcomers in the Community * 2. Affordable & Suitable Housing* 3. Educational Opportunities 4. Available and Accessible Public Transit 5. Accessible and Suitable Healthcare* 10. Municipal Features and Services Sensitive to the Presence and Needs of Newcomers* 11. Presence of Newcomer- Serving Agencies that Can Meet the Needs of Newcomers* Welcomeability Community Conditions/Characteristics Community Outcome 5
Welcome-Ability Index: Data and Method Unit of analysis: 45 Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) 30 LIPs in Ontario cities and municipalities 15 LIPs in Toronto Data: 2006 Census and 2008 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Exploratory factor analysis and Confirmatory factor analysis (or Structural Equations Model) 6
Welcome-Ability Index: Variables Economic Included in SEM Household Income ( 000s) Low Income Ratio among immigrants % of immigrants renting homes Social % of visible minorities among immigrants % immigrants in the community Population Diversity in the community Health % of immigrants rating health care in the community as good or excellent Immigrants perceived health on a scale of 100 Economic % of employed immigrants % of unemployed immigrants Median monthly rent immigrants pay ( 00s) Ratio of dwelling value to median HH income Social Not Included in SEM Sense of Belonging of immigrants on a scale of 100 Municipal services available in the community Number of immigrants per N211 service Health % of immigrants who perceive barriers in improving health % of immigrants who have a regular doctor 7
Path diagram from the Structural Equations Model (Standardized solution) 0.10 HHINC 0.95 0.05 LICO -0.36-0.61 Economic 1.00 0.07-0.07 0.14-0.09 RERENTIMMIG VISVISMIN 0.91 0.76 0.92 0.00 0.13 PERIMMIG 0.93 0.98 Social 1.00-0.10 0.04 POPDIV 0.60 0.29 0.81 COMHGOOD PERHEALTH 0.84 0.43 Health 1.00 8
South Ontario: Local Immigration Partnerships and Welcome-ability Ranks 9
Toronto: Local Immigration Partnerships and Welcome-ability Ranks 10
Framework for Analysis at the Micro-level Political Social Economic Formal Substantial Legitimacy Voting in election Participation Membership in organization Recognition Trust in people Belonging Sense of belonging Inclusion Paid Work Equality Income Integration Individual Conditions/Characteristics Individual Outcome 11
Integration Index: Data Data: Canadian General Social Survey on Social Networks 2008 Total respondents: 20,401 Respondents in Ontario aged 30-64: 4,978 12
Integration Index: Variables and Weights Political Social Economic Formal Substantial Voted in last election.10 Participated or member of at least one group.15 Feel people can be trusted.10 Feel strong sense of belonging.15 Work at paid job or business.20 Annual Income greater than cut-off.30 Integration Score 13
Average Integration Scores: Immigrants Economic Socio-Cultural Political Strong Partici- Independent Variables Work at Personal Can Trust Sense of Voted in pant in Integration N Paid Job Income People Belonging Election Org. Index Gender Male 713 0.89 0.89 0.49 0.67 0.68 0.65 0.76 Female 704 0.63 0.69 0.44 0.66 0.73 0.56 0.64 Ethnicity Visible Minority 788 0.75 0.76 0.44 0.68 0.67 0.56 0.68 Non-Visible Minority 589 0.77 0.82 0.51 0.66 0.74 0.67 0.72 Urban/Rural Larger Urban Centres 1364 0.76 0.80 0.46 0.66 0.71 0.60 0.70 Rural and Small Towns 53 0.75 0.66 0.62 0.74 0.70 0.74 0.70 Total 1417 0.76 0.79 0.47 0.67 0.70 0.60 0.70 14
Average Integration Scores: Non- Immigrants Economic Socio-Cultural Political Strong Partici- Work at Personal Can Trust Sense of Voted in pant in Integration Independent Variables N Paid Job Income People Belonging Election Org. Index Gender Male 1729 0.83 0.93 0.54 0.70 0.87 0.74 0.80 Female 1785 0.65 0.75 0.55 0.73 0.87 0.72 0.71 Ethnicity Visible Minority 63 0.72 0.89 0.42 0.65 0.78 0.73 0.73 Non-Visible Minority 3367 0.74 0.83 0.54 0.72 0.87 0.73 0.76 Urban/Rural Larger Urban Centres 2907 0.74 0.84 0.54 0.72 0.88 0.73 0.76 Rural and Small Towns 607 0.72 0.81 0.54 0.71 0.81 0.72 0.74 Total 3514 0.74 0.84 0.54 0.72 0.87 0.73 0.76 15
Concluding Remarks A. Macro/Community Conditions/ Characteristics 1 B. Macro/Community Outcomes Welcome-ability Indexes (or scores) could be used for subsequent analysis 3 4 2 C. Micro/Immigrant Conditions/ Characteristics D. Micro/Immigrant Outcomes Integration For multi-level, multidimensional analysis, data on: Opportunities and facilities in communities Individuals (immigrants and non-immigrants) Initiatives for immigrants 16
Theoretical Macro-Micro Framework of Analysis of Social Cohesion A. Macro/Community Conditions/ Characteristics 1 B. Macro/Community Outcomes Welcome-ability 5 E. Macro/Community Outcomes Social Cohesion 3 4 7 8 2 C. Micro/Immigrant Conditions/ Characteristics D. Micro/Immigrant Outcomes Integration 6 F. Micro Conditions/ Characteristics of Immigrant & Non- Immigrant G. Micro Outcomes Integration of Immigrant & Non Immigrant 17
Thank you! Contact information: ravanera@uwo.ca Ravanera, Zenaida, Victoria Esses, and Fernando Rajulton (2013) Integration and Welcome-ability Indexes: Measures of Community Capacity to Integrate Immigrants, Population Change and Lifecourse Strategic Knowledge Cluster Discussion Paper Series: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 6. Available at: http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/pclc/ 18